Rising senior Tricia Liston will be playing for the USA Basketball World University Games Team that will travel to Kazan, Russia from July 8-15. It is Liston’s first experience playing for a USA Basketball team, following a standout junior campaign where she drained a school-record 80 three-pointers and ranked third nationally in three-point field goal percentage (46.5%).

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Just the fact that I was asked to try out for the USA Basketball team was a great honor, but actually making the team was amazing. Being given this opportunity to play for my country and travel to Russia wearing the three letters, USA, across my chest is something that I am very proud to represent.

I am beyond excited to go to Russia and play with a very talented group of women from many different universities. It is a little different playing with a variety of players for the first time, but I am excited to see the chemistry and dynamic that we will build throughout this next week before we head to Russia.

Wednesday was our first day of two-a-day practices and it was really intense. We have one week to grow together and prepare for the University Games. Everyone knows what is at stake and they are willing to practice with intensity and compete in every drill that we do.

It is really fun to be a part of something much larger than ourselves, our country. I cannot wait to compete for the USA World University Games in Russia with my team and all the experiences that will come along with it. Playing for Team USA will allow me to meet and build new relationships, which is one of the things that I am most excited about. I look forward to finally being able to compete against other countries and represent the USA in the best way that I can.

A shout out to my Duke teammates and coaching staff as I miss you all!